Vince Backeberg's
Frequently
Asked Questions about What is the best 3D animation software? I really don't believe there is an answer to that question because it is based on the faulty premise that one program is the best at every aspect of computer animation. Many programs have their own particular strengths and weaknesses. However, in light of their 2003 special Oscar© win, the fine folks behind MAYA could argue that it's "the best". I suspect that the 'best' are a mix of high end programs such as Softimage, MAYA and proprietary software written by a studios own programmers. ILM, Digital Domain and PIXAR are examples that come to mind. In that case, unless you work there, you may not be using the 'best'. Still, whatever software you use, you the animator must bring to the table your own talent and ability. Which do you use? I use Kinetix's 3D STUDIO MAX for most my 3D CGI work. Although I am also learning MAYA. I also use a wide variety of image software including Adobe's Photoshop, Fractal Design Painter, CorelDraw, KPT Bryce, etc. What is the best computer platform? I really think the question should be, what is the computer platform I should be familiar with to be employable. Well a good tip is to find out what the studio(s) you wish to work for are using. If they are using MAYA, then there's your answer. MAC or PC, what are you using? I'm a PC user. Not that I have anything against Steve Job's fine product, it's just that I started with a PC and the projects I have been involved with were all PC based. I've been to studios that will have all of their 3D software on PC's and graphics work on Mac's. What is a good school for animation? Many of the people I know working professionally went to Cal Arts. I would recommend visiting the Computer Graphics World website for the latest info on CGI schools. Animation Magazine also has a website that may be useful. What do you think of motion capture? Do you use it? I has its uses but can be limiting if it's relied upon too heavily when doing character animation. It can be very valuable as a starting point, but in my opinion it still takes a skilled animator to really bring personality and life to a character. In most cases motion capture is "cleaned up" and tweaked by animators. "Toy Story", "A Bug's Life", 'Monster's Inc.", "Shrek" etc. all used good old fashioned animators rather than motion capture to bring their characters to life. But animation is a business as well as an art and craft. Many times a decision to use motion capture is a financial one in order to stay on budget and schedule. For instance it would be impractical to assign a character animator to create custom run or walk cycles for a crowd or battle scene. "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace"and "The Titanic"are great examples. It is also great tool for games where you need to create a lot of realistic motion in a short amount of time. Did you work on the will Vinton Studio's M&M spots , "The P.J.'s" or "Gary & Mike"? Nope. I was asked to do some work on them , but I was committed to other projects. But I did get a chance to work on WVP's very first foray into computer animation with the Chips AHOY! commercials. See CINEFEX # 60 for more about that spot.
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